I still recall ‘Norm’ from the ‘Life be in it’ campaign of the 1970s, I read the ‘Speak up stay chatty’ bumper stickers, watch TV programs ending with the ‘if this has raised issues here are some useful phone numbers’ closing images. I am pleased we are a community that has changed, and isn’t stigmatising many previously taboo health issues. As reported by The Advocate, Adam Brooks has been criticised on Facebook, and negatively commented on by Opposition MPs. His ‘error’ – socialising in Hobart over the summer break while on leave from parliament. Personally I think the origin of the story as a partisan Facebook spray taints its newsworthiness. But the high level of interest and comment indicate our community has strong and divergent views. I have no interest or knowledge of the specifics of this case. GPs don’t prescribe confinement for much nowadays, and MPs are not owned by the community. Socialising at their own expense at this time of year is unexceptional. A bunch of nodding duck MPs being seen wearing the lapel pin of the day does nothing to raise awareness that life can be tough at times. We owe each other respect in our actions not a piece of coloured plastic. Resisting the temptation for a partisan political swipe is progress. The lapel pin with swipe? Just hypocritical virtue signaling. David Owens, Parklands I have been collecting and disposing of these plastic objects that have been washing up on the Sulphur Creek beaches for years. I had no idea where they were coming from. Unfortunately they float so they could be dispersing much further than just these local areas. Hopefully the gun club can get a solution to this environmental problem quickly as it is a disaster to the local fish and sea bird population and as the plastic breaks down and floats around the oceans the problem lasts for a very long time. Frank Wilson, Sulphur Creek The shotgun wadding has also washed up in large quantities on the beaches at Sulphur Creek and Preservation Bay. The gun club should not be allowed to discharge this toxic plastic waste into the ocean. Oliver Mann, Preservation Bay Marilyn Quirk argues those who wish to change the date of Australia Day also wish to change history (Adv., Jan 16). This is simply untrue. Those who wish to change the date don’t want to change history but instead honour it. After the landing on January 26, the frontier war started, with an estimated 2000-2500 Europeans and 20,000-62,000 indigenous people killed. January 26 does not mark the start of a nation. It marks the start of hostility between indigenous and non-indigenous people. Marilyn Quirk, am I really un-Australian because I would like to celebrate a day that doesn’t represent racism, inequality, and exclusivity? I will celebrate any day that represents all Australians and all of Australia, but that day is not the 26th of January. Leon Zolati, Devonport

Letters to the Editor

‘Partisan political swipe’

I still recall ‘Norm’ from the ‘Life be in it’ campaign of the 1970s, I read the ‘Speak up stay chatty’ bumper stickers, watch TV programs ending with the ‘if this has raised issues here are some useful phone numbers’ closing images. I am pleased we are a community that has changed, and isn’t stigmatising many previously taboo health issues.

As reported by The Advocate, Adam Brooks has been criticised on Facebook, and negatively commented on by Opposition MPs. His ‘error’ – socialising in Hobart over the summer break while on leave from parliament. Personally I think the origin of the story as a partisan Facebook spray taints its newsworthiness. But the high level of interest and comment indicate our community has strong and divergent views.

I have no interest or knowledge of the specifics of this case. GPs don’t prescribe confinement for much nowadays, and MPs are not owned by the community. Socialising at their own expense at this time of year is unexceptional.

A bunch of nodding duck MPs being seen wearing the lapel pin of the day does nothing to raise awareness that life can be tough at times. We owe each other respect in our actions not a piece of coloured plastic. Resisting the temptation for a partisan political swipe is progress. The lapel pin with swipe? Just hypocritical virtue signaling.

David Owens, Parklands

Wadding solution needed

I have been collecting and disposing of these plastic objects that have been washing up on the Sulphur Creek beaches for years.

I had no idea where they were coming from. Unfortunately they float so they could be dispersing much further than just these local areas.

Hopefully the gun club can get a solution to this environmental problem quickly as it is a disaster to the local fish and sea bird population and as the plastic breaks down and floats around the oceans the problem lasts for a very long time.

Frank Wilson, Sulphur Creek

Plastic waste a concern

The shotgun wadding has also washed up in large quantities on the beaches at Sulphur Creek and Preservation Bay.

The gun club should not be allowed to discharge this toxic plastic waste into the ocean.

Oliver Mann, Preservation Bay

Not changing history

Marilyn Quirk argues those who wish to change the date of Australia Day also wish to change history (Adv., Jan 16).

This is simply untrue.

Those who wish to change the date don’t want to change history but instead honour it.

After the landing on January 26, the frontier war started, with an estimated 2000-2500 Europeans and 20,000-62,000 indigenous people killed.

January 26 does not mark the start of a nation. It marks the start of hostility between indigenous and non-indigenous people.

Marilyn Quirk, am I really un-Australian because I would like to celebrate a day that doesn’t represent racism, inequality, and exclusivity?

I will celebrate any day that represents all Australians and all of Australia, but that day is not the 26th of January.